Lou Carnesecca, the hoarse-voiced, sweater-wearing St. John’s basketball coach and godfather of the Big East whose powerhouse teams helped propel the league to glory, died Saturday at age 99, the university announced.

During two tours at the helm, 1965-70 and 1973-92, Carnesecca led St. John’s to a 526-200 record, including 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, the 1985 Final Four and the Elite Eight in 1979 and 1991. His Johnnies won The 1983 and 1986 Big East titles and the 1989 NIT crown. In his 24 appearances he never recorded a losing record.

Superstars to emerge from his program included National Players of the Year Chris Mullin and Walter Berry, New York Knicks point guard Mark Jackson and the late Malik Sealy.